Connecting means for structural elements



Jan. 21, 1958 E. A. BENDER CONNECTING MEANS FOR STRUCTURAL'ELEMENTSAFiled Dec. 4, 1953 CONNECTING MEANS FOR STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS Emil A.Bender, Bakersfield, Calif.

Application December 4, 1953, Serial No. 396,201

6 Claims. (Cl. 287-103) This invention relates to connecting means forstructural elements, and more particularly to means for connecting thesections of the legs of oil-well derricks. The present application is acontinuation-in-part of my prior co-pending application Serial Number295,759 led June 26, 1952.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of novelmeans for connecting structural elements in end-to-end relation whereinthe assembly and connection of the parts may be carried out more quicklyand accurately than heretofore, thereby speeding up the assemblyoperation.

A further object of the invention is to the provision of apparatus ofthe indicated type including cooperating means for guiding thestructural elements accurately in end-to-end relation for the fixing ofsuch elements to each other, thus greatly simplifying and speeding upthe assembly operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means of theindicated type which functions to seat the lower end of a derrick legsection solidly and accurately on the upper end of the nextlower-derrick leg section, the parts cooperating to guide the legsections into such end-to-end relation and to clamp the upper legsection relative to the lower leg section.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus ofthe indicated type wherein an inner element is employed within the legsections to transmit reaction forces downwardly on the upper leg sectionand upwardly on the lower leg section to solidly seat the contactingends of the leg sections against each other, and wherein such innerelement is carried by one of the leg sections and engages the other legsection as these sections are brought together to assist in guiding theminto cooperative relationship with each other.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of theindicated type wherein the inner element guides the leg sections intocooperative engaging relation in one direction, and wherein auxiliarymeans cooperate between the leg sections to guide them into position ina plurality of directions, said guiding means also serving to maintainthe leg sections in proper alignment during operation of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a structurewherein a wedge element cooperates with the inner element referred to,to effect a clamping action of the leg sections in end-toend relation,and to employ elements of the auxiliary guide means to increase theseating surface of the wedge in transmitting the reaction forces to oneof the leg sections, thus materially strengthening the device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel type ofresilient means for urging the wedge element into, and maintaining itin, clamping position, whereby the same cannot work loose duringoperation of the apparatus.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention, will becomemore apparent during the course vof aired; States arent I ice thefollowing description, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the adjacentends of two derrick leg sections to show the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device taken alongthe line 2 2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device taken on thelines 3t3 of Figure l, but showng a clamping wedge in plan. l

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a structuralelement as, for example, a derrick leg section, which is to be connectedto a next lower derrick leg section 11. These leg sections arepreferably of closed cross section and may desirably be formed ofchannel members l2 and 13 having their anges secured together, as shown.The lower extremity of the leg section 10 is preferably cut oi square asat 14, while the upper extremity of the leg section 11 is similarly cutoi as at 15, the two end surfaces being seated against each other withthe leg sections in aligned relation.

Secured within the lower leg section 11 and projecting upwardly beyondthe end thereof, is a relatively heavy-steel guiding-and-connectingelement 16 which may be substantially U-shaped, as shown in Figure 2.This element comprises spaced, substantially parallel legs 17 and 1S,the lower end portions 19 and 20 of which are slightly less in widththan the internal width of the leg section 11. The portions 19 and 20 ofthe legs have their edges welded to the webs of the channel members l2and 13 to fix them in position with respect to the leg section 11.

Adjacent their upper ends the legs 17 and 18 are joined by a transversebar 2l extending between the inner faces thereof and secured thereto inany suitable manner, as by welding. The lower surface 22 of the bar 21is substantially tlat and is inclined from the horizontal, as shown inFigure l, for a purpose to beV described. The upper portions of the legs17 and 18 have their edges beveled outwardly from the tops thereofdownwardly, as shown at 23 and 24, such bevels stopping short of theupper end of the derrick leg section 11 to provide straight portions 25and 26 adapted to engage opposite inner wall portions of the legsection10.

lt will be apparent that in assembling the leg section 16 relative tothe leg section ll by moving it downwardly thereover, the beveled edges23 and 2d will guide the leg section li) into position over the legsection 11 in one direction, namely, from left to right as viewed inFigure l. As the ends of the leg sections approach closely to each otheradditional guiding means come into play, such means comprising plates27, 28, 29 and 30. These plates are welded against the outer faces ofthe leg section 10 on each side thereof and have their lower extremitiesextending beyond the lower extremity 14 of the leg section 14), asclearly shown in Figure l. Such lower extremities of the members 27, 2S,29 and 3l? are chamfered or beveled as at 3l, and it will be apparentthat as the leg section l@ is assembled over the leg section l1, thechamfered edges 3l assist in positioning the leg section 10 so that theend thereof is properly aligned with the end of the leg section l1. Thusthe members 16, 27, 28, 29 and 3) cooperate to properly position thederrick leg section 10 in end-to-end relation with the section 11, and,in addition, serve to positively maintain the leg sections in alignmentat all times.

f formed in the plates 27 and 28. The openingszand v34 accommodate awedge 3S which is slipped through these openings from left to right, asviewed in Figure 1, in assemblingthe parts; The wedge 38 isfpreferablyrectangular'in cross-sectional shape, the top surface 39 thereof 4havingaslope or vinclination from the horizontal corresponding to theinclination of the surface 22 `from thehorizontal so that the topsurface of the wedge fits the surface 22 throughout the width of thetransverse bar 21; The cooperating'or contacting surfaces of the wedge3S, the bar 21, and the lower edges of the openings 32, 3334 and 35provide the desired clamping action.

In accordance with the present invention, a noveltype of ,resilientmeans is provided for resiliently urging the wedge 38 to the right asviewed in Figure 1. Such means comprise a bar 40, formed of springsteel, and having a .lower straight portion `41 and an upper, arcuatelycurved offset portion 42. The upperedge of the spring-steel bar 40 isadapted to-engage in a recess 43 in the end of the Wedge 38 and thelower edge thereof is rounded o las at y44 for bearing engagement with aside of the leg section 11.

l In the curved -portion thereof, the bar 46 is provided with an opening45 for receiving a threaded stud 46 having a head 47 welded or otherwisesecured to the plate member .27. A nut 48 is screw-threadedly engagedwith the threaded stud 46 and has a handle 49 secured thereto vtofacilitate turning thereof.k As the handle 49 is turned in a directionto advance the nut 48 along the threaded portion of the stud 46, it willbe apparent that pressure will be brought to bear on the spring-steel-bar 40 therebycausng the same to flex and resiliently urge the wedge 38to the right, as viewed in Figure 1, to rmly hold the structuralelements 1S and 11 in end-toend engagement. As a result, the wedge38'cannot work loose dur-ing operation of the apparatus but, on thecontrary, is constantly urged into tight engagement with the transversebar 21 and the lower edges of the openings 32, 33, 34 and 35. In thisconnection, it should be noted .that therspring bar 40 is so formed, andthe pressure of the nut`48 so exerted thereon, as to secure maximumeiectiveness under all conditions of operation. Thus the portion of thebar 40 between the nut 48 and the wedge 38 -is curved, and relativelyshort, as compared to the portion of the bar between the nut 48 and theside of the leg section 11 and,.as a result, the former has considerablymore stiiness.

In order that the wedge 3S'be readily available when the leg sectionsand 11 are being assembled, the same has a chain 51 secured thereto, asby welding, the other end of the chain being secured to, and carried by,the leg section 10.

Operation The upper end of each derrick leg section above which`another' section is to be arranged is provided with one -of theelements 16 welded inposition, as previously described. Similarly, thelower end of each leg section whichis to be arranged above the nextlower leg section -is lprovided with plates 27, 2S, 29 and 30 weldedhereto, the plates 27 and 28, in addition, being provided with thewedge-receiving openings 34 and 35. In assembling the parts, the upperleg section 10 is positioned over a next lower leg section 11 and thenmoved downwardly into position thereon. As the upper leg section movesdownwardly vover the element 16, the beveled or tapered edges 23 and 24thereof act as guiding means to assist in properly positioning the legsections. As the ends of the legsections are moved closer together, thebeveled edges 31 on the lower extremities of the plates 27, 28, 29 andcome into play and assist in bringing the ends of the sections intocorrect alignment. And finally, the inner,

downwardly projecting at surfaces of the plates above the beveled edges31 positively hold the ends of the leg sections in correct alignment.

'ffheends141and15 of the leg sections are thus brought into contactingrelation, whereupon the wedge 33 is inserted through the openings 32,33, 34 and 3S, from left to right as viewed in Figure l, the wedgepassing between the legs 17 and 18 of the member 16 and the uppersloping or inclined surface 39 thereof engaging the lower inclinedsurface 22 of the transverse member 21. The springsteel bar 40 is thenpositioned Vwith the upper edgethereof bearing against the end of thewedge and the lower edge thereof bearing against the side of the legsection 1i, as clearly shown in Figure l, following which the nut 48 isturned in a direction to advance same until the springsteel bar 49 isplaced under suiicient tension to resiliently maintain the'wedge inseated position.

It will thus bey .seen that the present invention provides an improvedapparatus for quickly and easily moving the ends of structural membersinto aligned engagement and for positively maintaining them in suchLaligned engagement. Thus the tapered edges 4of the member 16 serve asinitial guiding .means which are later augmented by the beveled edges 31of the plates 27, 28, 29 and`30. Moreover, when the ends of thestructural members are in engagementthe straight inner edges of theplates V27,28, 29 and 30, which project 'below the lower edge of thestructural member .10, serve to prevent relative horizontal movement ofthe members thereby serving to positively maintain them in correctalignment.

'Ille wedge 38, and the elements of the device which cooperatetherewith,rmly secure the structural elements together with their ends in pressureengagement, and Vsuch pressure engagement is maintained undiminished bythe.y

spring-steel bar 40. Thus the bar 4t) exerts a continuous and constantpressure'against the 4end of the wedge, resiliently urging it into tightengagement with the lower surface of the transverse member 21 and thelower edges of the `openings 32, 33, 34 and 35. Moreover, the loweredges of the openings 34 andV 35 in the plates 27 `and 28 serve toincrease the bearing surface for the wedge, thereby providing greaterstrength and a more eiective clamping action.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein,the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specific detailsillustrated and described,4

except as included in the following claims.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for guiding a pair of structural elements of correspondingclosed cross section into end-to-end relation and for maintaining ythemin'said end-to-end relation comprising a first guiding means carried byone of said structural members and having tapered portions engageablewith the -other structural member to guide the latter laterally in onedirection relative to said one structural member,v a second guidingmeans carried by said other structural member and having chamfered orbeveled portonsengageable with said one structural. member toguide'.said other structural member laterally in a plurality of directions, awedge member connected between said first guiding means and said otherstructural member for fixing said structural members in end-to-endrelation, and resilient means engaging said wedge and resiliently urgingsame into clamping engagementwith said tirstguiding means and said otherstructural member.

2. Apparatus for guiding a pair of structural elements of correspondingclosed cross section into end-to-end relationy and for maintaining themin such relation comprising a first guiding means carried by one of saidstructural members andengageable with the other structural member toguide the latter laterally in one direction relative to said onestructural member, a second guiding means carredzby said otherstructural member and engageable with said one structural member toguide said other structural member laterally in a plurality `ofdirections, said rstguiding means being fixed within' said onestructural member Iand projecting beyond the Vend thereof and tapered todecrease in size for engagement wholly within said `other `structuralmember, a wedge member engaged between the tapered portion of said rstguiding means and said other structural member for xing said structuralmembers in end-to-end relation, resilient means mounted on one of saidstructural members and engageable with an end of said wedge to urge itto seated position, and adjustable means for varying the tension on saidresilient means to thereby vary the pressure on said wedge.

3. Apparatus for connecting a pair of structural elements ofcorresponding closed cross section in end-toend relation comprising ayoke member mounted within one of said structural members and projectingbeyond the end thereof for engagement within the other structuralmember, a plate mounted on each side of the other structural member andprojecting beyond the end thereof for engagement with said onestructural member, a tapered wedge of rectangular cross-sectional shapeextending through said yoke member and through openings in said otherstructural member and movable lengthwise thereof to draw the ends of thestructural members into pressure engagement, and means for preventingloosening of the wedge comprising a spring-steel plate member having anarcuately curved portion engageable with the end of the wedge and asubstantially straight portion engageable with said one structuralmember, and means mounting said spring-steel plate on said otherstructural member and including adjustable means for tensioning saidplate to exert a desired degree of pressure on said wedge.

4. Apparatus for connecting a pair of structural members ofcorresponding closed cross section in end-toend relation comprising atapered wedge member insertable through openings in one of saidstructural members, means carried by the other structural member forpressure engagement with said wedge member when it is inserted throughthe openings in said one structural member, said wedge member beinglongitudinally movable in said openings in one direction to increase itspressure engagement with said means whereby the ends of said structuralmembers are drawn tightly together, a spring-steel plate member carriedby one of said structural members for engagement with said wedge memberand means for ilexing said plate member whereby the same resilientlyurges said wedge member in said one direction.

5. Apparatus for connecting a pair of structural members ofcorresponding closed cross section in end-toend relation comprising atapered wedge member insertable through openings in one of saidstructural members, means carried by the other structural member forpressure engagement with said wedge member when it is inserted throughthe openings in said one structural member, said wedge member beinglongitudinally movable in said openings in one direction to increase itspressure engagement with said means whereby the ends of said structuralmembers are drawn tightly together, a spring-steel plate member carriedby one of said structural members for engagement with said Wedge member,said spring-steel plate member having a curved portion, one end of saidplate member engaging an end of said wedge member and the other end ofsaid plate member engaging a side of one of said structural members, andadjustable means carried by one of said structural members and engagingsaid plate member to tension same and thereby resiliently urge saidwedge member in said one direction.

6. Apparatus for connecting a pair of structural elements ofcorresponding closed cross section in end-toend relation comprising ayoke member mounted within one of said structural members and projectingbeyond the end thereof for engagement within the other structuralmember, oppositely disposed plate members mounted on the sides of saidother structural member and projecting beyond the end thereof, theprojecting portions of said plates having bevelled portions for guidingthe structural members into end-to-end alignment and straight portionsfor maintaining them in alignment, a tapered wedge of rectangularcross-sectional shape extending through said yoke member and throughopenings in said other structural member and movable lengthwise thereofto draw the ends of the structural members into pressure engagement, andmeans for preventing loosening of the wedge comprising a spring-steelplate member having an arcuately curved portion engageable with the endof the wedge and a substantially straight portion engageable with saidone structural member, and means mounting said spring-steel plate onsaid other structural member and including adjustable means fortensioning said plate to exert a desired degree of pressure on saidwedge.

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